[Shotimes] snow tires vs all season

[Donald Mallinson]

Ian,

I don't agree with Ron on this issue (surprise!) :)

A good set of winter tires will outperform the best all 
season tires by a wide margin.  A better indicator of IF you 
need them is how important it is that you be out on the few 
really bad days you will get?  If it is important, then get 
winter tires.

I bought a set of Winter tires (Yokohama Guardex) for my '89 
SHO at a time when I had to be at work every day (owner, 
sole employee) and I loved them once I got used to the odd 
handling (like having four tires low on air, till I pumped 
them up to about 40 psi and just got used to it).

These tires are STILL going almost 8 years later.  I drove 
them for three winters and one entire summer.  My son has 
now used them for four more winters and they STILL have 
enough tread to outperform new all-season tires.

Do NOT believe the myth that winter tires wear super fast, 
they do not.  Some high-performance versions may, but my 
Yoko's felt like a gum eraser from an art store (super soft) 
but have worn like iron.

I could take my SHO out and play with the snow plows and 
that was a great feeling.

YOu want a more narrow tire for winter than summer.  I think 
the Guardex by Yokohama in 215-65-16 size should run you 
under $80 per tire, maybe less than that.  They are quiet 
and have good dry traction, you just need to get used to the 
very soft sidewalls giving an odd feeling when you turn the 
wheel, but that is part of why they behave so well on snow/ice.

Don Mallinson

Ian Fisher wrote:
> I just picked up a set of slicers to use for snow
> duty. Was checking some prices on a tirerack ad that I
> have. Cheapest snow tires I found (IIRC) were the
> Dunlop Graspic's at $84ish. I think they were 215 or
> 225/55/16.
> 
> In NJ we don't get a lot of snow over a long period of
> time. We may get 1-2 weeks of heavy snow, so when it's
> here, it can be here in full effect. I am debating
> getting all seasons with good M+S ratings or cheap
> snow tires. Either way, the key words are cheap, wear
> and grip (in snow and dry).
> 
> As soon as the roads clear up (late Jan-feb?), the
> 17's with hipo rubber will go back on and the 16's
> will sit in the shed for next winter.
> 
> opinions? reccomendations? 
> 
> thanks
> Ian